October marks Dental Hygiene Month; a time dedicated to keeping your mouth healthy. Dental hygiene is a year-round responsibility, especially as we move into the holiday season.
October is the start of the holidays, and this festive time of the year will bring with it plenty of sweet and sugary foods.
Keeping up with your dental hygiene is the best way to avoid a painful cavity later. If you want to keep your mouth healthy, learn tips from your McAllen dentist at Heroes Dental.
Why Dental Hygiene Is Vital, According to Your McAllen Dentist
Neglecting your oral health can result in bacterial growth on your teeth. While some bacteria are beneficial, others will cause decay, gum disease, or infections. This can result in tooth loss and damage to the jawbone over time.
Your teeth aren’t the only part of your body that suffers if you have poor oral health. Infections in your jaw can have widespread effects on your health. Tooth decay and gum disease put you at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.
Poor dental hygiene also makes abscesses in your jaw more likely. These are very dangerous to your health. Obviously, you will deal with pain and tooth loss from the damage to your jaw. The bacteria in that abscess can also get into your bloodstream. Once that happens, you can expect severe consequences for your health.
Practicing good dental hygiene all year can keep these negative effects from happening to you. Regular cleanings and daily care for your mouth will help keep you healthy.
How to Practice Dental Hygiene
Daily dental hygiene isn’t just brushing your teeth. Here are the steps you should be taking to care of your mouth.
- brush twice daily for at least two minutes
- floss every single day
- rinse with mouthwash after you brush
These simple steps will help keep you healthy. However, there are more effective ways to keep your mouth healthy.
First, make sure you have the right toothbrush. Your McAllen dentists at Heroes Dental can help you find the right one, but generally, you need soft bristles to keep your teeth clean. Also, you need to brush at a 45-degree angle to get the right clean.
Make sure you get every part of your teeth and don’t forget to brush your tongue too. You should also be gentle when you brush. If you’re too aggressive, you can damage your enamel, even with a soft brush.
Don’t Forget Your Twice Yearly Checkups
While you only need a physical once a year, you should see your dentist twice a year, even if your teeth seem fine. They can make sure you don’t have any decay and tackle it if you do. Gum disease and tooth decay can be stopped if you get them treated early enough.